Portable, hand-held multiple bit drill

ABSTRACT

A portable hand-held multiple bit drill imparts a set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece, which work areas are respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits. A rotary power source communicates with a hand-held body holding a plurality of chucks. Each pair of adjacent chucks having a uniform pre-set spacing apart from each other. The drill chucks holding the drill bits are rotated by respective linearly aligned drive gears, which are rigidly attached to respective shafts driving each respective chuck of the plurality of chucks. The drive gears are rotated by a centrally located central gear, which is attached to a central drive shaft emerging from the hand held housing. The central gear is driven by the power source and each drive gear is a meshed idler gear, which reverses direction, such that all the drive gears are rotated in a same, pre-determined direction.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based upon provisional application No.60/439,752, filed Jan. 13, 2003 and claims benefit therefrom under 35U.S.C. 119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to portable, hand-held multiple bitdrills for simultaneously drilling a plurality of linearly alignedholes, or for fastening linearly aligned fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With respect to the prior art, many patents describe “built-in”non-portable multi bit drills (such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,803 ofHaley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,437 of Strange, U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,230 ofBlum, U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,175 of Walters, U.S. Pat. No. 1,521,158 ofKing or U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,331 of Ericksen). In addition, non-analogoushand held food mixers with dual rotating blades are described in U.S.Pat. No. of Wolter, U.S. Pat. No. 1,485,647 of Trust, and U.S. Pat. No.1,441,416 of Goldstein. Hand held drills are described in U.S. Pat. No.4,396,318 of Jensen, which has a second non-working collet shaft thatgoes into the previously drilled hole for stability and markingpurposes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,682 of Jinkins describes a verycomplicated hand held drill with multiple driving shafts and U.S. Pat.No. 6,007,277 of Olsen describes a drill which uses one drill bit at atime. Its “multiple drill bits” include idle ones sitting in a revolvercarriage. Dual drill bits are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,918 ofBlatt, U.S. Pat. No. of 4,286,902 of Gagliano and U.S. Pat. No.4,678,378 of Koczarski. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 1,183,535 of Chayvesdiscloses a two bit dental drill, but the controlling gear has a largediameter.

[0004] However, none of the prior art patents describe a simple,multiple drill bit drill, for simultaneously drilling a plurality oflinearly aligned holes, or for fastening linearly aligned fasteners.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide asimple portable, hand-held multiple bit drill for simultaneouslydrilling a plurality of linearly aligned holes, or for fasteninglinearly aligned fasteners.

[0006] It is also an object to provide an adjustable hand-held multiplebit drill for simultaneously drilling a plurality of linearly alignedholes, or for fastening linearly aligned fasteners, which can beadjusted mechanically.

[0007] It is also an object to provide an adjustable hand-held multiplebit drill for simultaneously drilling a plurality of linearly alignedholes, or for fastening linearly aligned fasteners, which can beadjusted by user selection of the number of desired drill bits at apredetermined spacing therebetween.

[0008] Other objects which become apparent from the followingdescription of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In keeping with these objects and others which may becomeapparent, the present invention is a hand-held multiple bit drill forsimultaneously drilling a plurality of linearly aligned holes, or forfastening linearly aligned fasteners, which can be optionallyadjustable, either mechanically or by user selection of the spacing ofchucks for the drill bits.

[0010] There are four embodiments for the multiple bit drill, namely:

[0011] a) a totally non adjustable version with pre-set, non-adjustablelinearly aligned chucks

[0012] b) an adjustable version with chucks that can be moved toward oraway from each other by gears to vary spacing therebetween,

[0013] c) a static adjustable version, where there are provided aplurality of drill bit accommodating chucks, which are set linearlyapart from each other a predetermined distance (i.e. ⅝ inch, 1½ inch,etc,) where the adjustability of spacing between drill bits isaccomplished by the step of user selection of filling all the chucks(for minimal spacing) or by leaving some of the chucks empty and blank,thereby increasing the spacing between adjacent chucks. For example, byhaving the chucks spaced ¾ inch apart, but only loading every other onewill result in usable chucks having user selected drill bits insertedtherein, being spaced apart now 1/½ inches apart, and so on. This“static adjustable” version significantly reduces the cost of making atruly adjustable one, where the spacing is adjusted by gears swingingout of the way.

[0014] d) a pivotable adjustable multi drill bit drill having drivegears of two adjacent drill chucks being pivotably connected by radialarms to a center of a respective rotating idler gear, of a plurality oflinearly extending rotating idler gears, wherein the angle oforientation of the radial arms controls the spacing between the chucks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention can best be understood in connection withthe accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limitedto the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multiple bit drill of thisinvention, shown in an operating position next to a work piece;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in partial crossection of anon-adjustable embodiment of a multiple bit drill;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a set of gears used to drive multipledrill bits of the non-adjustable embodiment as in FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the channel housing of a secondembodiment of this invention, permitting different spacing through theuse of different sized idler gears;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an idler gear for use with theembodiment of FIG. 4;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a central chuck, with a driveshaft, for use with the adjustable embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a non-central chuck for usewith the second embodiment of this invention;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a bottom schematic view, showing close drill bit spacingthrough the use of small idler gears, in the second embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a bottom schematic view, showing wide drill bit spacingthrough the use of large idler gears, in the second embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic bottom view of a housing with a gear setof a third embodiment of this invention, using user-selectablequick-disconnect chucks to achieve a static adjustable version with stepadjustability;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a quick-disconnect chuck for usewith the static adjustable embodiment of FIG. 10;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of an alternate embodiment for apivotable adjustable multi drill bit drill, shown with close spacing ofthe drill chucks; and,

[0028]FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment for apivotable adjustable multi drill bit drill as in FIG. 12, shown withwide spacing of the drill chucks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a portable hand-held multiple bit drill 1 of thisinvention shown next to work piece 5, with a set of linearly alignedholes 4 which were just simultaneously drilled by the five drill bits 3.The rotary power source for multiple bit drill 1 is drill/driver 2,which is a typical hand-held unit as powered by a line-connected ACmotor, a battery powered DC motor, or a pneumatic motor. An auxiliaryhandle 6 can be attached to any version of multiple bit drill 1. Thisinvention can be used to drill multiple accurately spaced linearlyaligned holes simultaneously. Alternatively, multiple machine, wood, orsheet metal screws can be driven simultaneously. Blind rivets with screwactuators or other types of rotary applied fasteners can be drivensimultaneously in sheet metal or other materials.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment for multiple bitdrill 1 of this invention. In this version, a number of chucks 11 with auniform pre-set spacing “X” attached to U-channel housing 10 is used.Housing 10 is optional lubricated and/or sealed. While five chucks 11are shown in this illustration, more or fewer can be configured.

[0031] The bottom view of FIG. 3 is a schematic arrangement of ninegears of equal size with a pitch diameter of one half the centerlinespacing, “X”, of chucks 11, shown in FIG. 2. The four gears 15 arerigidly attached to shafts 13, which drive each of the chucks 11.Central gear 15 a is also rigidly attached to drive shaft 12, whichemerges from the top flange of housing 10 and is driven by drill/driver2. Between each drive gear 15 is a meshed idler gear 16 which reversesdirection such that all drive gears 15 are rotated in the samedirection. Bearings (not shown) are press fit in nine holes in the topflange of housing 10. While roller or ball bearings are preferable,sleeve bearings or bronze bushings may also be used. Thus the gears 15rotate in the fixed bearings and all five chucks 11 are drivensynchronously.

[0032] A second embodiment of multiple bit drill permits different drillspacing by using a variety of idler gears of different diameters. Thevarious parts and details of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 4through 9.

[0033] For example, FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of U-channel housing 25with slot 26 and central hole 27. Housing 25 is wider than housing 10 ofthe first embodiment, to accommodate larger idler gears.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows a typical idler gear 30 with attached bearing andmounting flange 31 and internally threaded mounting sleeve 32. Mountingsleeve 32 has an outside diameter that fits accurately within slot 26.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows the central drive chuck assembly 35 which includeschuck 11, shaft 13 rigidly attached to gear 38, mounting flange 37,threaded sleeve 36 and drive shaft 12. The outside diameter of sleeve 36fits central hole 27; a nut 36 a from the top flange of housing 25 isused to attach it to housing 25.

[0036]FIG. 7 shows one of the other chuck assemblies 39 with shaft 13,gear 38 and mounting flange 31, as well as sleeve 32, identical to thoseon idler gears 30. Gears 38 have a small diameter to permit closeplacement of chucks 11 when desired. Screws 40 are used to attach andlock in place idler gears 30 as well as chuck assemblies 39. Chuckcenterline spacing can be selected by using the appropriate size ofidler gear.

[0037]FIG. 8 shows the close spacing “A” through the use of smalldiameter idler gears 42.

[0038]FIG. 9 shows wide spacing “B” through the use of large diameteridler gears 45. While only three chucks are shown, any number that wouldfit housing 25 can be configured.

[0039] To set up this second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-9, screws 40are started loosely in desired idler gears 30 as well as chuckassemblies 39. These are inserted through hole 27 from the bottom ofhousing 25 (the head of screws 40 is smaller than hole 27 but largerthan slot 26) in the proper order and slid to the left and to the rightof hole 27. Then central chuck assembly 35 is placed in hole 27 and anut is used to lock it in place. Then each of the idlers 30 and chuckassemblies 39 is slid over toward the center, in order, carefullymeshing gear teeth and locked in place by tightening screw 40. Then themultiple bit drill of this embodiment is ready for use. Disassemblyrequires the reverse steps.

[0040] While a side view of a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11is very similar to FIG. 2, it differs in several respects. Thisembodiment permits chuck spacing from a certain minimum to a very widemaximum in multiples of the minimum spacing, without the necessity ofchanging idler gears. Spacing is accurately maintained, since gearbearings are rigidly mounted (press fit) in holes in a U-channelhousing.

[0041] Switching to a different spacing in the embodiment shown in FIGS.10 and 11 is very conveniently accomplished.

[0042]FIGS. 10 and 11 describe the essential features of thisembodiment. For example, FIG. 10 is a bottom view of housing 51, showing17 small gears meshed. In this illustration, all gears are assumed to be½ inch pitch diameter. Central drive gear 52 has a drive shaft (notshown) which penetrates the top flange of housing 51 and then coupleswith drill/driver 2. Gear 52, as well as all other drive gears 53,preferably have a blind square hole in the center. Idler gears 54 meshwith the drive gears (52 and 53) to insure that all drive gears 53 drivein the same direction and are synchronous. In this example, nine drivegears are shown; fewer or more can be configured.

[0043]FIG. 11 shows a chuck 60 rigidly attached to square shaft 61, withspring loaded locking ball 62. Shaft 61 fits into the square holes ofdrive gears 52 and 53 such that a quick-disconnect/connect is formedsimilar to the mating of a socket wrench handle with a socket wrench.Alternatively, a small powerful magnet can be embedded in the end ofeach blind square hole within a drive gear to retain chuck 60 bymagnetic attraction, in a manner used to retain screw driver bits insome applications. In the latter case, spring loaded ball 62 would beunnecessary. Other attachment devices can be used, such as Allen keyfittings.

[0044] Therefore, in the “static adjustable” embodiment of FIGS. 10 and11, a chuck can be simply plugged into any drive gear 52 or 53 asdesired. If all drive gears are populated with chucks 60, nine holes canbe drilled simultaneously at a 1″ spacing. If drive torque is limited,fewer than 9 chucks can be inserted (still at a 1″ spacing).

[0045] Central drive gear 52 need not be populated, in fact, bypopulating only the two end drive gears 53, two holes eight inches apartcan be drilled simultaneously. Other examples shown in FIG. 10 show fourholes at 2 inch spacing, three holes at 3 inch spacing, and three holesat 4 inch spacing.

[0046] As a result, user selection of which drive gears 52 or 53 allowsfor a “static adjustment” of the spacing between actively used chuckswith respective drill bits inserted therein.

[0047]FIGS. 12 and 13 describe an alternate embodiment for a pivotableadjustable multi drill bit drill 70. The drive gears 71 of two adjacentdrill chucks 72 are pivotably connected by radial arms 73 to a center 74of a respective rotating idler gear 75 of a plurality of linearlyextending rotating idler gears 75. The driver gears 71 are constrainedto be in linear alignment by being placed in a slot in a housing, as inFIG. 4.

[0048]FIG. 12 shows the pivoting radial arms 73 connected at distal endsthereof with the chuck drive gears 71 at an acute angle of orientation(such as, for example, 90 degrees apart), to produce close spacing “X₁”of the drill chucks 72.

[0049]FIG. 13 shows the pivoting radial arms 73 connected at distal endsthereof with the chuck drive gears 71 at opposite directions oforientation (such as, for example, 180 degrees apart), to produce widespacing “X₂” of the drill chucks 72.

[0050] In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictionsare used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessarylimitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrationsdepicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms andillustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scopeof the present invention.

[0051] It is further known that other modifications may be made to thepresent invention, without departing the scope of the invention, asnoted in the appended Claims.

I claim:
 1. A portable hand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a setof linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areas arerespectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits,comprising: a rotary power source communicating with a hand-held body; aplurality of chucks, each pair of adjacent chucks having a uniformpre-set spacing, said chucks attached to a housing; said chucks beingrotated by respective linearly aligned drive gears, said drive gearsbeing rigidly attached to respective shafts driving each respectivechuck of said plurality of chucks; said drive gears being rotated by acentrally located central gear being rigidly attached to a central driveshaft emerging from said housing, said central gear being driven by saidpower source; each said drive gear being a meshed idler gear whichreverses direction, such that all said drive gears are rotated in asame, pre-determined direction.
 2. The portable hand-held multiple bitdrill for imparting a set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piecewhich work areas are respectively and simultaneously drilled by therespective drill bits as in claim 1 wherein said pre-set drill spacingbetween adjacent drill accommodating chucks is accomplished by aplurality of idler gears of predetermined diameters.
 3. The portablehand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly alignedwork areas of a work piece which work areas are respectively andsimultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits as in claim 1wherein said housing includes an elongated U-channel housing having alinearly extending slot and a central hole, wherein further each gear isslidably movable in at least one linear direction within said slot. 4.The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set oflinearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areas arerespectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits, asin claim 3 wherein each said chuck is attached by a respective fastenerhaving an outside diameter permitting said fastener to fit within saidcentral hole.
 5. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for impartinga set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areasare respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bitsas in claim 3 wherein respective fasteners extend from said top flangeof said housing, said fasteners attaching to said respective chucks tosaid housing.
 6. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for impartinga set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areasare respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bitsas in claim 1 wherein each said chuck includes a shaft, a gear mountingflange, and a sleeve.
 7. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill forimparting a set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece whichwork areas are respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respectivedrill bits as in claim 1 wherein said gears have a predetermined smalldiameter to permit close placement of said chucks adjacent to eachother.
 8. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a setof linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areas arerespectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits asin claim 1 wherein fasteners lock said idler gears in place adjacent tosaid chucks.
 9. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for impartinga set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areasare respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bitsas in claim 1, wherein chuck centerline spacing is selected by using apredetermined size of each respective idler gear.
 10. The portablehand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly alignedwork areas of a work piece which work areas are respectively andsimultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits as in claim 9,wherein close spacing is accomplished through the use of small diameteridler gears.
 11. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for impartinga set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areasare respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bitsas in claim 1, wherein wide spacing is accomplished through the use oflarge diameter idler gears.
 12. The portable hand-held multiple bitdrill for imparting a set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piecewhich work areas are respectively and simultaneously drilled by therespective drill bits as in claim 1 wherein fasteners for said chucksare started loosely in desired idler gears and said chucks, saidfasteners being inserted through said central hole from the bottom ofsaid housing, wherein respective heads of said fasteners are smallerthan said central hole but larger than said linear extending slot, saidchucks being positioned in a predetermined order to the left and to theright of said central hole, said central chuck being placed in saidcentral hole and locked in place.
 13. The portable hand-held multiplebit drill for imparting a set of linearly aligned work areas of a workpiece which work areas are respectively and simultaneously drilled bythe respective drill bits as in claim 1, wherein predetermined chuckspacing is varied from a certain minimum to a wide maximum, in multiplesof said minimum predetermined spacing, without the necessity of changingidler gears, said spacing being accurately maintained by gear bearingsbeing rigidly mounted in holes to said housing.
 14. The portablehand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly alignedwork areas of a work piece which work areas are respectively andsimultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits as in claim 1,wherein said central drive gear has a drive shaft penetrating saidhousing, said central drive gear coupling with said drill/driver toinsure that all said drive gears drive in the same direction and aresynchronous.
 15. The portable hand-held multiple bit drill for impartinga set of linearly aligned work areas of a work piece which work areasare respectively and simultaneously drilled by the respective drill bitsas in claim 1 wherein each said chuck is rigidly attached to a squareshaft with a spring loaded locking ball, said shaft fitting intorespective square holes of said respective drive gears.
 16. The portablehand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly alignedwork areas of a work piece which work areas are respectively andsimultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits as in claim 15wherein a quick-disconnect/connect is formed.
 17. The portable hand-heldmultiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly aligned work areas ofa work piece which work areas are respectively and simultaneouslydrilled by the respective drill bits as in claim 15, wherein a magnet isembedded within an end of each blind square hole within a drive gear,retaining each said chuck by magnetic attraction.
 18. The portablehand-held multiple bit drill for imparting a set of linearly alignedwork areas of a work piece which work areas are respectively andsimultaneously drilled by the respective drill bits, as in claim 1,wherein said drill is a pivotable adjustable multi drill bit drillhaving drive gears of adjacent drill chucks being pivotably connected byradial arms to a center of a respective rotating idler gear, of aplurality of linearly extending rotating idler gears, wherein the angleof orientation of the radial arms controls the spacing between thechucks.